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Alchemy of Souls

Original title: Hwan Hon
  • TV Series
  • 2022–2023
  • TV-14
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
8.7/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
951
158
Jung So-min and Lee Jae-wook in Alchemy of Souls (2022)
The fate of two people becomes twisted due to "hwanhonsool" (the soul of the dead return to the living).
Play trailer0:32
6 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark FantasyFantasy EpicFeel-Good RomanceKorean DramaSword & SorceryActionDramaFantasyRomanceThriller

Set in a fictional country called Daeho, it is about the love and growth of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden magic spell known as the "alchemy of souls", w... Read allSet in a fictional country called Daeho, it is about the love and growth of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden magic spell known as the "alchemy of souls", which allows souls to switch bodies.Set in a fictional country called Daeho, it is about the love and growth of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden magic spell known as the "alchemy of souls", which allows souls to switch bodies.

  • Stars
    • Lee Jae-wook
    • Hwang Min-hyun
    • Yoo Joon-sang
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.7/10
    24K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    951
    158
    • Stars
      • Lee Jae-wook
      • Hwang Min-hyun
      • Yoo Joon-sang
    • 293User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #224
      • See the top 250 TV shows as rated by IMDb users

    Episodes30

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos6

    The Quintessential K-Drama List: Most Popular Korean Shows on IMDb
    Clip 6:52
    The Quintessential K-Drama List: Most Popular Korean Shows on IMDb
    Season 2 Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:32
    Season 2 Official Trailer
    Season 2 Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:32
    Season 2 Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:40
    Official Trailer
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 0:39
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Alchemy Of Souls: Season 2 (Latin America Market Subtitled)
    Trailer 0:32
    Alchemy Of Souls: Season 2 (Latin America Market Subtitled)
    Alchemy Of Souls (Latin America Market Subtitled)
    Trailer 0:40
    Alchemy Of Souls (Latin America Market Subtitled)

    Photos264

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Lee Jae-wook
    Lee Jae-wook
    • Jang Uk
    • 2022–2023
    Hwang Min-hyun
    Hwang Min-hyun
    • Seo Yool
    • 2022–2023
    Yoo Joon-sang
    Yoo Joon-sang
    • Park Jin
    • 2022–2023
    Oh Na-ra
    Oh Na-ra
    • Kim Do-joo
    • 2022–2023
    Yoo In-soo
    • Park Dang-goo
    • 2022–2023
    Jo Jae-yoon
    Jo Jae-yoon
    • Jin Moo
    • 2022–2023
    Lee Do-kyung
    Lee Do-kyung
    • Heo Yeom
    • 2022–2023
    Arin
    • Jin Cho-yeon
    • 2022–2023
    Alexandra Bokyun Chun
    Alexandra Bokyun Chun
    • Maidservant Kim
    • 2022–2023
    Victoria Grace
    Victoria Grace
    • Jin Cho-yeon
    • 2022–2023
    Hao Feng
    Hao Feng
    • Park Dang-Gu
    • 2022–2023
    Eugene Ko
    Eugene Ko
    • Han Yeol
    • 2022–2023
    Lee Bong-joon
    Lee Bong-joon
    • Goo Hyo
    • 2022–2023
    Shin Seung-ho
    • Go Won
    • 2022–2023
    Lee Ha-yul
    • Sang-ho
    • 2022–2023
    Park Eun-hye
    Park Eun-hye
    • Jin Ho-gyeong
    • 2022–2023
    Im Chul-soo
    Im Chul-soo
    • Teacher Lee
    • 2022–2023
    Hong Seo-hui
    Hong Seo-hui
    • Heo Yoon-ok
    • 2022–2023
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews293

    8.724.4K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Alchemy of Souls' is acclaimed for its intricate plot, blending fantasy, romance, action, and comedy. The series is praised for its well-developed characters, especially the leads' chemistry. The historical and magical setting, along with stunning costumes and sets, receive significant acclaim. The show's ability to maintain engagement through twists is frequently noted. However, some reviewers express disappointment with the second season, citing changes in the lead cast and perceived drops in quality. Despite this, the overall reception remains positive, with many recommending the series for its unique storytelling and captivating performances.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    9jonfmac

    Exceptional

    I watch parts 1 and 2 back to back. Like many, I was disappointed by the last two episodes of part one. That was simply because I wanted a happy story resolution. The writers could easily have done that but logically expanded the story to its next logical step. If I had to wait a season between parts, I would have been devastated. Fortunately I didn't have to do that, going straight to the second part. I was tremendously rewarded.

    In total, there's 30 episodes, each running up to an hour and a half. That is a massive amount of story!!!

    I'll keep it short. This series, even when viewed as a dub, is one of the best, if not the best (depending on the day) televised programs that I have ever been privileged to watch. The writing was incredibly well done. The world building was intricately developed. The acting was top notch. The production and music was excellent.

    I can't recommend this more highly. Absolutely superb.
    10eterynix

    Unexpectedly incredible story

    Caught up to 14 episodes and oh my GOD this show is so good! I have no bias for any characters or writers prior to the show, but now I've completely fallen in love with all the actors and the writers. The acting, the suspense, the plot building, and the twists make me look forward to this show every single day! If you like fantasy, magic, and a complex storyline, you'll love this show. I compare it to Harry Potter, it has a a lot of similarities. If they could make 3 seasons I would watch without hesitation. The AoS world is really amazing, I want to explore every inch of it!
    10mcsclion

    A magnificent fusion of adventure, fantasy, comedy and romance.

    A magnificent fusion of adventure, fantasy, comedy and romance. Koreans, at their current rate, will dominate the world of entertainment in a very short time. Just stay away from the increasingly weakened and irritating contemporary Hollywood formula. If Netflix has any sense, it will only finance the projects, leaving the Koreans to do, with complete independence, the works that are increasingly delighting audiences around the world. In South Korea, artistic talents erupt in profusion, names like Park Eun-bin, Park Min-Young, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Gin are becoming easier to memorize in the western world every day. The screenwriters and directors demonstrate extreme competence in works that capture you from the very first chapters. Alchemy of Souls is no different, the beautiful and talented protagonist couple, Jung So-Min (Mu-Deok) and Lee Jae-Wook (Jang UK) get involved and involve the viewer in a story, which always leaves you wanting the next episode and who knows, a new season. Remembering that new seasons are very rare in the Korean industry.
    9blebbe

    Loved the first season

    Season 1 (10/10): The first season is a really good season, probably the best historical/fanatasy drama I have ever seen. The storyline is just really unique and pulls you in fairly quickly. The balance between comedy, romance and action is just perfect. The characters are all really charismatic and interesting. You get to see many different stories develop through the characters and you grow to love most of them. My favorite thing about this series are the visuals. The whole series is just like eye-candy. I could honestly watch this series just because of the visually pleasing scenes. The graphics are amazing as well. And the soundtrack really just pulls it all together.

    Season 2 (7.5/10): The second season continued with the great visuals, but something just felt a little off compared to the first season. The first episode in this season was a great starter, but episodes 2-7 weren't honestly that interesting. I feel like the story only started to take off in episodes 8-10. Don't get me wrong, the second season was still decent, but it just didn't live up to the same standard as the first one.
    10gnatsong

    Whimsical historical fantasy.

    Reminiscent of the k-drama Crash Landing on You, in that it's a love story with charming and very competent actors. I'm sure I'm missing some relevant cultural context, but I find this series, through the first eight available episodes, thoroughly enjoyable, a needed escape. Accolades to the director who allows the actors to showcase both their individual charisma, and their chemistry with each other as they glide seemingly effortlessly through this light hearted escape.

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    8.5
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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Hong sisters are known to take inspiration from fairy tales and add it into their works. In Alchemy Of Souls, the sisters added elements from Snow White such as a mirror.
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Sorry
      Performed by Ailee

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    FAQ12

    • How many seasons does Alchemy of Souls have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 18, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Language
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow
    • Filming locations
      • Gasan Supia, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea(gate to enter Songrim)
    • Production company
      • Studio Dragon
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 20m(80 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.28:1

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